Value?

[kelper]

I bought my 03 xb9r for 3500 with 8k miles jardine, breather, and race ecm

Sure wish I could find something like that. There aren't many Buells for sale in my area, though. What I said about the bike having no upgrades isn't accurate. I only said it was stock to simplify things since what's been done to the bike, in my opinion, doesn't add much value to a 9 year old bike with 55,000 miles. In truth, he's done some work on the headlight/front fender, added a Drummer pipe, gave it a cheap paint job, sealed the plastic cowl onto the back seat (it no longer comes off) and installed the already mentioned forged pistons. Here's the link, if you'd like to take a look:

http://charleston.craigslist.org/mcy/3093544057.html

Has anyone here seen a headlight job like that? I've seen the double stacked headlights, but I can't find a single picture of what I like to call the "cyclops".

 

[kelper]

A few more pictures:

 

[Rhino1]

That's way too much money with any kind of engine noise. He would know what it normal and what is not--If he's pointing out a noise, I'd shy away.

Cool looking bike, but you should walk away at that price. Be patient.

 

[WALLSXB]

I find it funny how many people talk negative about Buells with high mileage. I see the mileage as a testament to their reliability but so many people see it as a negative. I've seen BMWs and other brands with 50k plus and prices in the teens and nobody flinches. Interesting IMHO.[confused]

 

[gobi42]

hey man i just picked up a 03 xb9r with 14000 miles and i paid only 2100 and if you check nada guides and kbb you would see that the bike in perfect condition only goes for 3 grand here in wisconsin but i wouldn't pay 3500 for that even though it's got some nice body mods

 

[WIGGLE2]

Hi!
Hey lunatic....ANY chance its the forged pistons in there making noise until they warm up? Some of our race engines are noisy when cold due to that...(especially those that are on their "last" freshen!).Just a thought...I know its impossible to tell without hearing it!

 

[kelper]

hey man i just picked up a 03 xb9r with 14000 miles and i paid only 2100 and if you check nada guides and kbb you would see that the bike in perfect condition only goes for 3 grand here in wisconsin but i wouldn't pay 3500 for that even though it's got some nice body mods

I'm dying to find that kind of a deal for an XB9. Seems like there's none in my area and I never was one for having patience. But yea, good point with the KBB value.

ANY chance its the forged pistons in there making noise until they warm up? Some of our race engines are noisy when cold due to that...(

You know, I was wondering the same thing. I asked him if that noise had existed before he installed the new pistons and he just couldn't recall.

...(especially those that are on their "last" freshen!).

What do you mean by "last freshen"?

 

[WIGGLE2]

Hi kelper!
We "freshen" the engines on a schedule depending on how/what they're run in. Basically its a teardown, inspect, and replace crtical wear items. (bearings, valve springs,etc.). There is a LOT more to it, but we don't always replace pistons...touch-up the cylinders with the ck10/cv16, clean up pistons, scotch-brite, and go back together. Depending on the customers wallet, we get a little extra clearence in the cylinder!(Thus..the 'last' freshen before we bore to the next oversize!). They do rattle when cold. Some of the super short skirt pistons for drag race use rattle when the clearence IS right too!! I hope this helps answer your question?!

 

[gobi42]

i'm not sure where you are but here is a bike in your price range with alot less miles
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/mcy/3143593478.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/3105505656.html
good luck

 

[kelper]

Hey Wiggle, thanks for the explanation. And that does answer my question, but now I've got a couple more, if you don't mind. Let's say the culprit is piston slap. If I were to buy and install stock pistons and cylinders, that would take care of the problem, correct? And if I were to do that, those are the only parts I would need? Also, let's say I ran it until the pistons seized. What's the worst case scenario if that happens? What would need to be replaced? And if a piston (or pistons) seized while someone was riding the bike, would that bring the bike down onto the pavement? Thanks for the help

i'm not sure where you are but here is a bike in your price range with alot less miles
http://lacrosse.craigslist.org/mcy/3143593478.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/3105505656.html
good luck

Thanks for the heads up, but those are pretty far from me. I'm in South Carolina.

 

[gobi42]

np man just trying to help out but good luck finding one oh and u can have ur weather back I much prefer high 70 or mid 80's to this 100 degree stuff with ridiculous humidity

 

[WIGGLE2]

Well kelper...I DON"T want to lead you in the wrong direction!! But...to answer your question; IF (!) it is piston noise due to a little extra clearence, it really won't hurt a thing. It's obviously not ideal, but like I said...we have some fairly potent engines running,that are noisy when cold. AND..IF that is what the culprit should be, I'd just run it. IF it's just as we are describing, they won't seize. Again..it's a decision YOU must make...if I could listen to it for you, believe me, I would! I WOULD NOT pay what he wants however...just my opinion though.

 

[WIGGLE2]

I paid $3400....bone stock except for Jardine...9400 miles.

 

[kelper]

u can have ur weather back I much prefer high 70 or mid 80's to this 100 degree stuff with ridiculous humidity

No joke, man. Most people ride in the summer and put their bikes up in the winter. I'm thinking it should probably be the other way around 'round these parts.

It's obviously not ideal, but like I said...we have some fairly potent engines running,that are noisy when cold. AND..IF that is what the culprit should be, I'd just run it.

If piston slap is the case, over time, the clearance between the cylinder and piston will grow larger if I continue to operate it. Eventually, what will happen? The piston will crack? Shattered skirt? And when that happens, the fragments fall into the crankcase. And when THAT happens, what must be done to get the bike back in order again. (Also, just to be sure, if that happens, the bike won't seize up and throw the rider onto the ground?) Bare with me, I'm new to most of this (but eager to learn!).

if I could listen to it for you, believe me, I would!

I know audio from a video isn't quite the same, but if I could get some audio of the engine running, would you mind giving it a listen?

Again..it's a decision YOU must make...

Well-understood and I appreciate all your help. Thanks, everyone

 

[WIGGLE2]

Really kelper, if thats what it should be, it won't hurt anything. The clearences aren't WAY out of spec if its noisy only when its cold. A forged piston wont usually come aprt like a cast piston, and I,ve never seen any negative (broken pieces) side effects from this condition. Hell..back in the day, before they had some of these new materials they have today, they'd make noise when the clearences WERE at spec! (Some of the Wiseco's and Cosworth's for example! Some of the Ross's were noisy too.Anyone remember those days?!). You're right kelper....diagnosing noises almost needs to be done 'live'!